Spears named interim superintendent

by Audrey Thomasson

PITMAN’S CORNERShe is a familiar face to many students, teachers and parents in Lancaster School District. Since 1994, she has served as assistant principal and principal at the middle school and principal at the high school. Now Sandy Spears has interrupted her retirement to become the interim superintendent while the school board seeks a permanent replacement.

According to Virginia law, the board has up to 180 days to find a permanent superintendent.

“I’m honored they thought enough of me to ask me to do this,” said Spears, who has been an adjunct professor at Rappahannock Community College and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) board member during her retirement.

“There are a lot of wonderful people in the school system,” said Spears. “I’m glad I could help them out.”

Spears has a bachelor’s in health, physical education, driver education and science from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s in educational administration from Old Dominion University.

She began her teaching career at Providence Junior High in Chesterfield in 1974 and has been an adjunct professor for Norfolk State University and the University of Virginia. She also has corporate financial and accounting experience, including a stint at Mobile Chemical.

“I can’t tell you how happy we are that she’s agreed to do this,” said school board chairman Dr. Robert Westbrook. “She’s going to be a jewel for usa positive impact on morale for our teachers, which will impact students. She is the right person for the next six months and will lay the groundwork for the next superintendent.”